Overview
Although they may be relieved that they didn't end up getting Deshaun Watson because of the controversy surrounding him, they have now entered a transition phase.
Life after Matt Ryan will be tough. Many thought they would go full rebuild after trading away Julio Jones, but this season marks the first year of the rebuild.
There's not a lot to be hopeful about in ATL—Marcus Mariota is likely a bridge QB to whoever the Falcons draft at the position unless Desmond Ridder shows that he can be the QB of the future.
They even lost Calvin Ridley, their best wideout, to a season-long suspension for betting on games, and it's unlikely he'll play for the Falcons again. This means their best wideout is a rookie in Drake London, and their best offensive player is a second-year TE in Kyle Pitts, and there are not a lot of teams who build around TEs.
Chris Lindstrom is the team's best offensive lineman in one of the weaker O-lines in the league after a season where he allowed zero sacks and committed just two penalties in over 1,000 snaps. He and Jake Matthews have their spots on the O-line secure, though everyone else among the O-line's starters from last season is in for a position battle.
The defense had 18 sacks last season, dead last in the league. In fact, they had 4.5 less sacks than reigning DPOY TJ Watt (!!!). No player who had more than two sacks last year remains on the roster, and Deion Jones' future is in question with him missing the rest of the offseason. Their only bright spot is AJ Terrell, who has emerged as a true shutdown corner last season, having been named second-team All-Pro in 2021.
The Falcons have a staggering $63 million in dead cap, including Matt Ryan's $40.5 million dead cap hit. What they hope to do is endure a rough season and then get their cap situation in order facilitating their rebuild.
Draft Picks
Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
1 | 8 | WR | Drake London | USC |
2 | 38 | DE | Arnold Ebiketie | Penn State |
2 | 58 | LB | Troy Andersen | Montana State |
3 | 74 | QB | Desmond Ridder | Cincinnati |
3 | 82 | LB | DeAngelo Malone | Western Kentucky |
5 | 151 | RB | Tyler Allgeier | BYU |
6 | 190 | OG | Justin Shaffer | Georgia |
6 | 213 | TE | John FitzPatrick | Georgia |
Key Losses
QB Matt Ryan: Traded to Colts
WR Calvin Ridley: Suspended for entire season
ILB Foye Oluokun: Signed with Jaguars
WR Russell Gage: Signed with Buccaneers
S Duron Harmon: Signed with Raiders
Key Additions & Extensions
CB Casey Hayward: 2-year deal, $11 million
WR Bryan Edwards: Acquired via trade from Raiders
OLB Lorenzo Carter: 1-year deal
QB Marcus Mariota: 1-year deal
RB Damien Williams: 1-year deal
Biggest Questions
Can Drake London have a Kyle Pitts-like impact in his rookie year?
Marcus Mariota or Desmond Ridder?
What does the future hold for Deion Jones?
Who starts at nose tackle?
Can Richie Grant win a starting job?
Schedule
Week 1: Sunday, 9/11, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 2: Sunday, 9/18, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 3: Sunday, 9/25, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 4: Sunday, 10/2, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 5: Sunday, 10/9, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 6: Sunday, 10/16, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 7: Sunday, 10/23, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 PM
Week 8: Sunday, 10/30, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 9: Sunday, 11/6, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 10: Thursday, 11/10, at Carolina Panthers, 8:15 PM on AMAZON PRIME
Week 11: Sunday, 11/20, vs. Chicago Bears, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 12: Sunday, 11/27, at Washington Commanders, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 13: Sunday, 12/4, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1:00 PM on CBS
Week 14: BYE WEEK
Week 15: 12/17 or 12/18, at New Orleans Saints, Time and network TBD
Week 16: Saturday, 12/24, at Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 PM
Week 17: Sunday, 1/1, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 18: 1/7 or 1/8, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Time and network TBD
Projected Starters
1 RB 2 WR 2 TE Offense
Position | # | Player |
QB | 1 | Marcus Mariota |
RB | 84 | Cordarrelle Patterson |
WR | 5 | Drake London |
WR | 89 | Bryan Edwards |
TE | 8 | Kyle Pitts |
TE | 86 | Anthony Firkser |
LT | 70 | Jake Matthews |
LG | 77 | Jalen Mayfield |
C | 61 | Matt Hennessy |
RG | 63 | Chris Lindstrom |
RT | 76 | Kaleb McGary |
Base 3-4 Defense
Position | # | Player |
DL | 90 | Marlon Davidson |
NT | 94 | Anthony Rush |
DL | 97 | Grady Jarrett |
OLB | 47 | Arnold Ebiketie |
ILB | 45 | Deion Jones |
ILB | 54 | Rashaan Evans |
OLB | 9 | Lorenzo Carter |
CB | 24 | AJ Terrell |
SS | 27 | Richie Grant |
FS | 32 | Jaylinn Hawkins |
CB | 29 | Casey Hayward |
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